6 Chiefs Already on the Chopping Block Before OTAs

2. Justin Reid, Safety

For three years, the Chiefs had a stellar safety roaming the back end of their defense in Tyrann Mathieu. In 2022, he wasn't re-signed though as Kansas City decided to get younger at the position. Mathieu headed to the New Orleans Saints and replacing him was Justin Reid — who was a teammate of Mathieu during his rookie season with the Houston Texans.

Kansas City gave Reid a three-year deal worth $31.5 million hoping he would anchor their secondary. Throughout the first two seasons of his deal, he's been anything but.

The veteran safety has been targeted 120 times and has given up 76 receptions (63.3 percent) for 771 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. PFF has him as the 12th-worst safety in the NFL in pass coverage with a grade of 52.8. In the Super Bowl, he was a problem as well, giving up four completions on four targets for 38 yards. The yardage wasn't terrible but his continued struggles to stop the pass are hard to ignore.

Reid has a cap hit of $14.25 million in 2024 and the Chiefs can save $10.75 million by moving on. There's not much depth at the position, which could be his saving grace, but if fourth-round pick Jaden Hicks proves to be up to the task, Kansas City could pull the trigger.